A blend of hot hatch grunt and luxury car comforts makes this an appealing mid-size sedan.

STARTING PRICE

$63,017

BASIC SPEC

2017 Volkswagen Passat 206TSI R-Line new car review

The spiritual successor to the Passat R36 sports sedan. While it doesn't go quite to the sporty extreme of the R36, the 206TSI R-Line is suitably performance orientated.

Under the bonnet is the same 206kW turbocharged engine from the Golf R hot hatch and the R-Line treatment gives it a dynamic edge.

But Volkswagen has also tried to keep the car appealing to luxury car buyers instead of just grown-up boy racers. So there are plenty of creature comforts that makes the Passat a genuine alternative to the traditional German premium sedans.

Volkswagen Australia claims 25 per cent of 206TSI buyers are cross-shopping the likes of the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

How much does it cost and what do you get?

Not surprisingly the top-of-the-range Passat comes at a price premium. At $57,990 for the sedan (and $59,990 for the wagon) the 206TSI is more than $10,000 more than the 140TDI Highline, which is the next model down in the range.

You do get plenty of standard gear for the money though, including leather interior trim, heated front seats, tri-zone air-conditioning, an 8-inch colour infotainment touchscreen, navigation, Bluetooth as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The R-Line items included are a sporty body kit, 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive suspension, full LED headlights and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel.

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The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine is shared with not only the Golf R hot hatch but also the Skoda Superb.

As the name implies there is 206kW of power available as well as 350Nm of torque. Like the Golf R, the engine is matched to a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox and sends power to the road via VW's 4Motion all-wheel drive system.

Naturally there's a decent amount of punch when you step on the accelerator. For what is ultimately a small engine the Passat pulls strongly, so you don't miss the old V6 engine in the R36.

The dual-clutch transmission still needs some work though to smooth out its low speed operation. On several occasions it was caught out starting on an incline, tending to slip backwards a few centimetres before engaging the gear. It's a common ailment of dual-clutch 'boxes but it does detract from the premium image VW is trying to project.

What's it like to drive?

There are selectable drive modes - Normal, Comfort, Eco, Sport and Individual - so you can tailor the drivetrain characteristics to suit your mood.

There isn't much to split the various modes unless you're really paying attention. The engine is always willing to spring into action, but in Sport it feels more responsive than Comfort.

The settings also adjust the firmness of the adjustable dampers. But again, there isn't a dramatic change in character between the various modes. The sports suspension is 15mm lower and firmer than the rest of the Passat range, so the 206TSI feels more responsive when you push it through some corners.

I'd certainly consider the 206TSI, especially in practical wagon form. It doesn't miss out much in terms of luxury or performance to its more premium rivals. It's also a new alternative for those looking to move out of larger cars but don't want to sacrifice performance.

What else should I consider?

The most obvious rival is the Skoda Superb 206TSI 4x4 in its new Sportline trim. It is the same mechanical package but with a more roomy interior and costs $55,290 (sedan) and $56,990 (wagon).

The other related rival is its VW Group cousin, the Audi A4. The 2.0-litre all-wheel drive Audi starts at $69,990 so demands a hefty price premium. The BMW 320i starts at $62,500 and the Mercedes C200 is priced from $63,900.

The other 75 per cent of potential buyers are probably cross-shopping it against the Mazda6 Atenza (from $46,690), Ford Mondeo Titanium (from $47,490) and even the Kia Optima GT (from $43,990).

Drive Ratings

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2016 Volkswagen Passat 206TSI

Drive Comments

Honest but a bit trolly | 15 Mar 2017 23:26

Misleading title is misleading. Maybe something like Volkswagen figures out how to squeeze yet another special edition into a lineup, which is already overflowing would be less click baitey

DJM61 | 16 Mar 2017 00:38

I agree with trolly. This car was announced on this site in August 2016 and then a first drive article on 28 September 2016. We look forward to the used car review in the future.

Mr Majestyk | 16 Mar 2017 01:35

And it is not the spiritual successor to the R36 despite what nonsense VW would spout. Take a Golf R engine stuff it into a much heavier and larger car ensuring it's performance is worse, charge a fortune and voila it's a sports car. Nothing more than a warm sedan. Heck it can't even out power a bog stock Commodore SV6 or Aurion.

AJ_Sydney Mr Majestyk | 18 Mar 2017 08:02

@Mr Maj, Aurion 0-100 in 7.5 secs. Bog commodore on just over 6.0.
This does it in 5.7. And a $1500 flash takes it to 5.0.
Just shows when you still put a 1980s tech, drive train and gear box KWs becomes irrelevant.

The truth | 16 Mar 2017 22:44

...and they are STILL sticking with a dysfunctional DSG gearbox in what is meant to be a luxury sedan. DSG gearboxes should remain on the race track where they were designed for no traffic stops. Include traffic stops and they are sub par to live with.
I still don't know why they have not twigged to using an electric motor for 1st/reverse gear, and only kicking jn the ICE on second gear, a bit like an extended start-stop system.

AJ_Sydney The truth | 22 Mar 2017 08:02

@truth. Sub par to live with... so you own one then? Good for you!. Oh...that's right, you apparently can only stretch to your beloved hyundais...cute.
I've lived with 3 vag DSG cars. Awesome tech! No issues in 300,000 KMs. The only thing my current dsg is sub with is 5.0 seconds 0-100.

Sagewood | 17 Mar 2017 02:19

My Golf 7 R is awesome with a super smooth DSG gearbox, can only imagine the Passat R must be absolutely brilliant!!

VW Apologist | 18 Mar 2017 02:22

When starting on an incline all you need to do is have the auto hold on. That solves the issue the reviewer refers to. Its DSG and AWD means that a bog standard Commodore or Aurion wouldn't see which way it went. Much more efficient than either.

VW Apologist | 18 Mar 2017 02:22

When starting on an incline all you need to do is have the auto hold on. That solves the issue the reviewer refers to. Its DSG and AWD means that a bog standard Commodore or Aurion wouldn't see which way it went. Much more efficient than either.

Busker | 20 Mar 2017 22:04

There's still a lot of comments about the DCT transmissions from reviewers. Its not just VAG- its any DCT. It always seems to be related to low speed hesitancy. I have been driving a polo gti with dct for a few years now and there is a knack to it. Think about driving along in first gear in a manual, its hard to be smooth. I think most of the hesitancy is not from the transmission changing gears, its the application of power when you are in a very low gear. For a smooth getaway in my polo you have to be really light on the throttle until it is out of first or give it a bit right from the start and it will slip the clutch to give a smooth launch for you. But don't apply extra throttle while it is in first. Just like a manual.